Welding apparatus



.Fell 28, 1950 J. H. ABBOTT 2,498,905

4 WELDING APPARATUS Filed June 7, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 28, 1950 H, ABBOTT 2,498,905

WELDING APPARATUS Filed June 7, 1948 4 Sheets-Shee .5

Feb. 28, 1950 1 H, ABBQTT 2,498,905

WELDING APPARATUS Filed June 7, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Feb. 28, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 10 Claims.

`My invention relates in general to a method of and `apparatus for fabricating articles, and more particularly, to a method of and apparatus for assembling articles of sheet metal by spot welding the elements of the article together.

The invention nds particular utility in assembling the elements of such articles as the fans or rotors, commonly termed wheels, which are incorporated in certain types of centrifugal blowers and I prefer to consider the invention in this connection herein for convenience in disclosing same. However, it will be understood that the invention is susceptible to other applications and that I do not intend to be limited to the particular illustrative application disclosed herein.

The rotor or wheel incorporated in a centrifugal blower of the type under consideration herein ordinarily comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending blades or vanes having annular rims secured to the ends thereof, the rims being provided with radially extending spokes which terminate at their inner ends in hubs for mounting the wheel on a suitable shaft. Annular rims having the form of channels are frequently employed, the vanes being provided at their ends with tabs which are disposed in the channels and which are suitably secured to the bases thereof. In copending application Serial No. 619, 030, iiled September 28, 1945, now Patent No. 2,470,966, dated May 24, 1949, John W. Anger and I have disclosed a blower wheel with which the present invention may be practiced particularly advantageously, although it will be understood that the invention may be practiced with other articles without departing from the spirit thereof.

In assembling a blower wheel of the foregoing character, it is desirable to secure the vvanes to the annular rims'by a spot welding processg'as vby spot welding thetabs at the ends of the vanes tothe bases of the rims, in order to reduce the cost of manufacture. However, due to the fact that the annular rims are channel shaped and due to the fact that the vanes are relatively closely spaced, insertion of the electrodes used yin spot welding between the vanes and into the channel shaped rims has heretofore presented av difficult problem, a primary object of the present invention being to provide a simple solution 'for this problem. v

It has been proposed to employ a welding gun or tool having a compound movement so that an electrode carried by the tool is iirst inserte'dbetween the vanes and then insertedinto the channel shaped rim, and to employ an electrode having an offset tip, but I have found that such an `arrangement is not satisfactory for several reasons, one of these beingthat employing a compound movement for the welding tool requires an undesirably and'unnecessarily complicated actuating mechanism. Another reason is that an electrode having an offset tip cannot be cooled throughout its entire length by circulating water or other coolant therethrough, thus materially reducing the life of the electrode. In view of these considerations, an important object of my invention 'is to provide an apparatus which avoids the employment of a compound movement for the welding gun or tool, and which avoids the employment of an electrode having an offset tip.

More specifically, an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus having a welding tool which is merely rotatable between an operative, or extended, and an inoperative, or retracted, position, the welding electrode being insertable between the vanes of the wheel into one of the'channel shaped rims thereof along a circular path as the tool is rotated from its retracted position to its extended position. Another object in this connection is to provide an apparatus wherein the welding tool includes a straight, or substantially straight, electrode which may be cooled substantially throughout its entire'lengthby the circulation of water or other coolant ftherethrough.

Another object of the invention is to provide a weldingtool which is adapted to make two spot welds simultaneously so that two vanes may-'oe welded to one of the 'annular rims at the same time. Another object in this connection is to provide an apparatus wherein the two electrodes of the welding tool are connected in series and wherein the annular'rim of the wheel is adapted to'contact a conductor for establishing a current 'path between the two electrodes.

A further object of the present invention is to providean apparatus including a pair of welding "tools o'f the foregoing character for welding both ends of a fpair of varies `to the annular rims -at opposite'ends of-'the blower wheel simultaneously.

Another important object is to provide an apparatus of the foregoing character having retaining means for holding the vanes and the annular rims of the Wheel in assembled relationship-duringthe welding operation, and having intermittently-operating indexing means for peri- -odic'ally frotating 'the retaining. means so las to bring successive vanes "and `successive portions of 3 the annular rims into positions to be welded by the welding tools.

Another object is to provide an apparatus having means correlating the movements of the retaining means and the welding tools for causing rotation of the welding tools into their operative, or extended, positions after the retaining means, and the blower wheel held thereby, havev been rotated by the indexing means, and for causing rotation of the welding tools back to their inoperative, or retracted, positions before further rotation of the retaining means and the wheel by the indexing means.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus having means for automatically deenergizing the indexing means after one complete revolution of the retaining means and the blower wheel held thereby so that the assembled wheel may be removed from the retaining means. A related object is to provide an apparatus wherein the indexing means is driven through a clutch which is disengaged automatically at the end of one complete revolution of the retaining means and the wheel held thereby, and which may subsequently be reengaged manually by an operator to initiate a new cycle of operation.

Still another important object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus wherein the retaining means is adapted to receive a blower wheel whose elements are to be welded together and which is adapted to hold the elements of the wheel in assembled relationship during the welding operation.

Another object is to provide a retaining means comprising a pair of spaced heads which are adapted to receive the blower wheel therebetween and which are adapted to hold the elements thereof in assembled relationship. A further object in this connection is to provide a retaining means wherein the heads are provided with a plurality of notches which are adapted to receive the spokes of the annular rims of the wheel, and wherein the heads are provided with a plurality of additional notches which are adapted to receive the vanes of the wheel. Still another object in this connection is to provide heads wherein the notches for the spokes and the vanes are so located that the vanes and the annular rims automatically assume their proper relative positions.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an apparatus wherein the indexing means for rotating the retaining meansand a wheel held thereby are connected vto only one of the heads of the retaining means, the other head being driven by the wheel itself.

The foregoing objects and advantages of v,my invention, together with various other objects and advantages thereof which will become apparent in the light of the following disclosure, may be attained through the utilization of the exemplary embodiment which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings and which is described in detail hereinafter. Referring to the vdrawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a welding apparatus which embodies the invention;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view showing a blower wheel which may be assembled with the apparatus; y

Fig. 3 is a sectional view ztaken -along the broken line 3--3 of Fig. 2; s 1,

Fig. 4 is a view showing a part of the blower` Ydetail hereinafter.

4 wheel and is taken as indicated by the arrows 4 4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a sectional View taken along the broken line 5 5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along the broken line 6--6 of Fig. 1 and showing a welding tool and part of a retaining means of the apparatus;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view taken along the broken line 'I-I of Fig. 1 and showing another part of the retaining means;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the structural details of a pair of welding tools of the apparatus and showing the manner in which the tools engage elements of the blower wheel;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional View taken along the broken line 9-9 of Fig. 8;

Figs. 10 and 11 are fragmentary sectional views taken along the broken lines IU-IU and II--I I, respectively, of Fig. 1 and showing an indexing means for rotating the aforementioned retaining means;

Figs. 12 and 13 are fragmentary perspective views illustrating the operation of a mechanism for operating a clutch through which the indexing means is driven; and,

Fig. 14 is a schematic diagram showing an electrical circuit of the apparatus.

Referring particularly to Fig. 1 of the drawings, my welding apparatus includes a Supporting structure or frame, indicated generally by the numeral I5, which carries rotatable retaining means I6 for holding in assembled relationship elements of a blower wheel or rotor I'I (shown in phantom) which are to be welded together by the apparatus. Carried by the frame I5 adiacent the retaining means I6 are welding tools or guns I8 and I9 for spot welding the elements of the blower wheel I'I together, the welding tools being movable between extended, or operative positions wherein they engage elements of the blower wheel, and retracted, or inoperative positions wherein they clear the blower wheel. With the welding tools I8 and I9 in their retracted positions, as shown in Fig. l of the drawings, the retaining means IB may be rotated to bring successive elements of the blower wheel I'I into positions to be engaged by the welding tools. The apparatus also includes intermittently-operating indexing means, indicated generally by the numeral 2l), for periodically rotating the retaining means I6 so as to move successive elements of the blower wheel I'I into positions to be engaged by the welding tools I3 and I9 so that the elements of the blower wheel .may be progressively welded together in a manner to be described in more As a matter of convenience, movement of successive elements of the blower wheel I1 into positions to be engaged by the weld- `ing tools I8 and I9 will be referred to hereinafter as movement of the elements to an operating station adjacent which the welding tools are located, the operating station being indicated generally by the numeral 2l In order to facilitate disclosing the structure and operation of my welding apparatus, it is desirable to consider first a typical blower wheel Il which the apparatus is capable of assembling,

-such a wheel being illustrated in Figs. 2 to 5. of

the drawings. The particular blower wheel illustrated in Figs. 2 to 5 is similar to the one disclosed in the aforesaid copending application Serial No.

619,030, although it will be understood that the present invention is not limited to application to such a blower wheel.

Referring now to Figs. 2 to 5 of the drawings, the blower wheel I'! illustrated therein includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending blades or varies which, in the particular construction illustrated, are interconnected by strips 2B formed integrally therewith to provide an integral vane structure. The blower wheel Il also includes a pair of annular rims 2'! which are to be secured to tabs 28 formed at the ends of the vanas 25 by spot welding in accordance with the present invention, the annular rims being channel shaped, as best shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings, and being adapted to receive the tabs at the ends of the vanes therein. The annular rims 2'! are provided with radially extending spokes 29 which terminate at their inne-l,` ends in hubs 30, the latter being adapted to receive a shaft (not shown) on which the blower wheel is mounted when installed in a blower housing.

Considering the. welding apparatus in more detail with particular reference to Figs. l, 6. :and 7 of the drawings, the retaining means I6, which is adapted to hold the annular rims 2'! and the vane structure of the blower wheel i'! in assembled relationship during spot welding of the tabs 28 at the ends of the vanes 25 to the annular rims, includes a pair of retaining members or heads 33 and 34 which are spaced apart along an axis A-A and which are rotatable about such axis, thev heads 33 and 34 being adapted to receive the blower wheel therebetween and being adapted to hold the elements thereof in assembled relationship as they are spot welded together. The head 33 includes a disc 35 which is rigidly connected to a shaft 36 so as to be rotatable therewith, the shaft being journalled in a bearing 3'! which is carried by the frame I5 and being operatively connected to the indexing means 23 in a manner to be described in more detail hereinafter. As best shown in Figs. 6, 8 and 9 of the drawings, the disc of the head 33 carries an annular ring 38 on which one of the annular rims 2l of the blower` wheel I'! is adapted to rest, the ring 33 being formed of a suitable conductor of electricity, such as copper, for example. As best shown in Figs. 3 and 9 of the drawings, the ring 38 is secured to the disc 35 by bolts 39 which extend through circumferential slots 40 in the disc to permit circumferential adjustment or"v the ring relative to the disc for a reason to be discussed hereinafter.

The head 33, as best shown in Figs. 1 and 6 of the drawings, also includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced, arcuate members 43 which are rigidly connected to the disc 35, the members 43 providing notches 44 therebetween which are adapted to receive the radial spokes 29 of one of the annular rims 2'! of the blower wheel to position such annular rim relative to the head 33. Adjacent the arcuate members 43 are arcuate members 45 having notches 46 therein which are adapted to receive portions of the ends of the vanes 25 of the blower wheel I'I, the relative positions of the notches 44 and 4S being such that the annular rim 2'! which engages the head 33 and the varies 25 are properly positioned with respect to each other.

rihe head 34 of the retaining means I6 is identical to the head 33 and will not be described in detail, the variouscomponents'of the head 34 being identified by the numerals used to identify the correspond-ing components of the head 33. AAs

best shown in Fig. l of the drawings, the head 34 is carried by a shaft 5G which is journalled in bearings 5I and 52, this shaft being slidable axially in the bearings 5I and 52 to permit movement of the head 34 between a retracted position which is shown in solid lines in Fig. 1 of the drawings, and an extended position which is shown in broken lines therein. As best shown in Figs. 1 and 7 of the drawings, a collar 53 is suitably journalled on the shaft 55 intermediate the bearings 5l and 52, axial movement of the collar 53 being prevented by auxiliary collars 54 clamped or otherwise secured to the shaft at opposite ends of the collar 53. A yoke 55 is connected to the collar 53 by pivot pins 58. The head 34 is normally retained in its retracted position by a counterweight 5'! which is connected to the yoke 55 by a cable 58 trained over pulleys 59. In order to move the head 34 into its extended position, I provide a handle 5! having arms 62 which are connected to the frame l5 by pivot pins 63. The arms 62 oi the handle 6! are also connected to the collar 53 by links 64, the latter being connected to the collar by the pivot pins 55 and being connected to the respective arms of the handle by pivot pins 65. It will be apparent that in order to move the head 34 into its extended position, it is merely necessary to move the handle downwardly, as viewed in Fig. 1 of the drawings, to the position shown in broken lines, such downward movement of the handle being communicated to the shaft 50 carrying the head 34 through the links 64 and the collar 53. The links 64 and those portions of the arms 62 of the handle 6! which lie between the pivot pins 63 and 65 cooperate to provide a toggle mechanism for retaining the head 34 in its extended position.

Considering the operation of the retaining means I6, the operator of the apparatus rst places one of the annular rims 21 of the blower wheel I'! to be assembled on the head 33 in such a manner that the spokes 23 thereof are disposed in the notches 44 between the arcuate members 43, thus positioning such rim properly with respect to the head 34. Subsequently, the operator places the vane structure, comprising the vanes 25 and integral interconnecting strips 26, on the previously positioned annular rim 2'! in such a manner that portions of the vanes 25 are dispose" in the notches 43 in the arcuate members 45. whereby the varies are properly positioned with respect to the annular rim 2l automatically, this being an important feature of the invention. Subsequently, the operator places the second annular rim on the Vane structure and moves the head 34 into its extended position by means of the handle 6|, simultaneously adjusting the circumferential positions of the head 34 and the second annular rim until the vanes 25 and the spokes 25 of the second annular rim enter the proper notches in the head 34. The toggle mechanism formed by the arms 62 of the handle 6i and the links 54 retains the head 34 in its extended position so that the heads 33 and 34 hold the annular rim 2'! and the vane structure of the blower wheel l? therebetween in assembled relationship.

It will be understood that the foregoing procedure for positioning the blower wheel i'! between the heads 33 and 34- may be modified without departing from the spirit oi the invention. For example, instead of positioning the annular 2'! and the vane structure of the blower wheel in theretaining vmeans l5 in the sequence outlined in 'the preceding paragraph, the annular rims and the vane structure may be preliminarily assembled, i. e., arranged in approximately their proper' relative positions, at a location away from the apparatus andmay then be placed on the head 33 as a unit, the head 34 subsequently being extended into engagement with the preliminary assembled wheel. It will -be understood that 'with this procedure, it may be necessary to adjustthe relative circumferentialv positions of theV vvane structure and the annular rims 21 to insure insertion of the vanes 25 and the spokes 29 of the rims into the proper notches in the heads 33 and 34. Preliminarily assembling the components of the blower wheel prior to placing the wheel in the retaining means I6 has an important advantage in that it permits more eicient operation of the apparatus since a second operator may be employed to make the preliminary assembly. Thus, the actual operator of the apparatus merely places the preliminary assembly in the retaining means I5, thereby reducing the time that the ap# paratus is idle.

The retaining means I6 is so positioned rela# tive to the operating station 2I that the tabs 28 on successive vanes 25 of the blower wheel I1 and successive portions of the annular rims 21 thereof are moved to the operating station into positions to be welded by the welding tools I8 and I9 as the retaining means is rotated by the indexingmeans 20. The structure of the welding tools I9 and I9 will nowbe described and, since the two tools are of identical construction, 'only the tool IB will be described in detail.

Referring particularly to Figs. l, 6, 8 and 9 o'f the drawings, the welding tool IB comprises'a pair of electrode holders 10 on a shaft 1I which is journalled in bearing members 12 carried by the frame I5, the tool being rotatable between an extended position which is shown in Figs. 8 and 9, and a retracted position which is shown in Figs. 1 and 6. Secured to the respective electrode holders 19, as by clamping means 13, are welding electrodes 14 and 15, the electrodes being spaced apart a distance equal to the spacing of the tabs 28 on the vanes 25 of the blower wheel I1 so that they engage two of the tabs 28 simultaneously when the 4welding tool I8 is r0- tated into its extended position' As best shown in Figs. 8 and 9 of the drawings, the axis of rotation of the welding tool I8 is so located with respect to the operating station 2l that the electrodes 14 and 15 are inserted between the vanes 25 of the blower wheel I1 and into the channelshaped rim 21l at one end thereof as the tool is rotated into its extended position, the electrodes 'ill and 15 engaging vand bearing against the tabs 28 on adjacent vanes 25 when the tool isvfully extended. Thus, the electrodes 14 and l are brought into engagement with the' tabs 28 to be spot welded to one of the annular rims 21 by a simple rotational movement, which-is an important feature of the invention.

It will be noted that with this construction, I am able to employ straight, or substantially straight. welding electrodes, which is another important feature of the invention since this per* mits cooling the electrodes throughout substantally their entire lengths. As best shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings, the electrode 14 comprisesy a tubular member 18 vhaving a head 19 thereon to which inlet and outlet lines 89 and 8l for a coolant such as water are connected, the inlet line 89 communicating with a tube 82 in the member 'I9 through a suitable passage (not shown specifi"- cally) in the head 19. The diameter of the tube 82 is less than the internal diameter of the ltulbular member 18 to provide an annular space 83 which communicates with the outlet line 8| through another passage in the head 19. The electrode 14 includes a hollow tip member 84 which is inserted into the tubular member 18, the tube 82 extending well into the tip member so as to conduct the coolant thereinto. Thus, the coolant ows substantially to the extreme tip of the electrode 14 and provides a cooling action throughout substantially the entire length thereof, thereby materially increasing the useful life of the electrode over that of an offset electrode having an uncooled tip. The electrodes 14 and 'I5 are identical so that the latter will not be described. y

It will be understood that the electrodes 14 and 'I5 are of more or less conventional construction and, per se, form no part of the present invention. As hereinbefore stated, the novel welding tools I8 and I9 make possible the use of electrodes of such construction, which is an important feature of the invention.

As best shown in Fig. l ofthe drawings, the welding apparatus includes actuating means, indicated generally by the numeral 99, for rotating the welding tools I8 and I9 between their respective extended and retracted positions, the operation of the indexing means 29 and the actuating means being so correlated or synchronized that the actuating means is energized to rotate the welding tools into their respective extended positions each time the indexing means is energized to move elements of the blower wheel I1A to the operating station 2l. In the particular con-I struction illustrated, the actuating means 99 comprises pairs of fluid operated actuating devices 9i and 92 which are operatively connected. to the welding tools It and I9, respectively, the actuating devices 9i being pivotally connected to the respective electrode holders of the welding tool I8 by pins 93, and being pivotally connected to a bracket 94 carried by the frame I5 by pins 95. Similarly, the actuating devices 92 are pivotally connected to the electrode holders of the welding tool I9 by pins 95, and are pivotally connected to a bracket 91 carried by the frame by pins 98.

In the particular construction illustrated, the actuating devices 9I and 92 comprise cylinders having pistons (not shown) therein, the devices having iiuid lines connected to opposite ends of their respective cylinders. The fluid lines connected to the cylinders of the actuating devices 9| are identied by the numerals 99 and I and those connected to the cylinders of the devices 92 are identied by the numerals II and 02. AAny desired fluid, such as air, ior example, may be employed to operate the actuating devices 9I and 92 as is well known in the art. The manner in which the operating fluid for the actuating devices is controlled will be discussed in more de- -tail hereinafter.

When the actuating devices 9i and 92 are energized to rotate the welding tools It and i9 into their extended positions, the welded electrodes 'I4 and lcarried by the respective tools engage the tabs 28 at opposite ends of adjacent vanes 25 of the blower wheel I1, the forces applied to the tools being suflicient to cause the electrodes to press the tabs into positive electrical-contact with the bases of the channel-shaped rims 21 of the blower Wheel and to press the bases of the rims into positive electrical contact with the annular 1conductorst carried by the heads 33 and l34. :As will'be discussed in more detail hereinafter, the

electrodes '|4`` and 'l5 of each of theweldingtools. I8.- and I9 are connected iniy series soy that the, welding current. iiowsv from one electrode to ther other ina generally U-shaped path m5,. as indicated inFig. 9 ofthe drawings. More specically, the welding current fiows. from one of; the electrodes throughthe: tab.- 28 engagedl thereby, through theI base` ofthe corresponding rim 2J, through the annular` conductor 38 along; the,4 U-shaped. path m5 baci; through the; base of the rim,. through the. tab engagedby.y the;v other electrode, and thence into the other electrode. Thus, I am able tomaketwo spot` weide simul-l taneously, i. e., I amable to spotweld; the tabs; 2B.l at the ends of. twoy vanes tothe corresponding annular rim 2T simultaneously. with only two electrodes, which is an; important feature-of, the invention.

It will be recalledthatthe annularconductor 38; may be movedv circumferentially with; respect. to the corresponding heads, 3.3 and 341 by virtue.. of the provision; of the slots 40.1 through.` whichv the bolts 39 for securing the annular conductorsrv sent freshsurfaces-for contact with;the.-annular rims 2-1 in the event that the annular conductors become pitted at the` original points of contact,` which is another feature. of the invention.

The indexing meansl 2|) for periodically rotating the retaining means. I6 in` timed' relationship with the operation ofthe actuating means 9|) for the welding tools I8 and I9 will now be described in detail with. particular reference;v to Figs. 1 and 10 to 13.v of. the drawings. Asbest shown in` Figs. l and 10; the indexing means, 20 includes an indexing disc Il!)v which is rigidly connected to the shaft 36 carrying the head 3.3 so as to be rotatable therewith, the indexing; disc beinLT provided with a. plurality of circumferentially spaced'` notches H! in itsV edge and providing, in eff-ect, a ratchet wheel. Journalledl on the shaft 36. is a collar ||24 having an indexing arm H3 which carries a pawl |14,l as best shown in Fig. l0 of the drawings, the pawl. being pivotally connected to the arm H3: by apin H5. The pawl |14 isv adapted to be inserted into the notches HI in the indexing disc HIJ: by.- a spring H6, thev latter being connected at one end to the pawl and at its other end to; the. arm H3; The pawl H4 is adapted tol rotate the indexingY disc H0 in the direction of the arrow |.|'|.V when the arm H3 is rotated inthe-same direction, and is adapted to 'disengage the notches in the disc when' the arm is rotated in the opposite direction so that an intermittent, unidirectional movement of the indexing disc is obtained` as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

The number of notches |||v in the indexing disc I Hl corresponds to the number of spot welding operations to be performed on the blower wheel and, since. two Janes of the wheel. are welded to the annular rims 21. during each. spot welding operation in the particular' construction illustrated, the number of notches inthe index.- ing disc must be equal to one-half the number of vanes. It will be apparent that if the indexing arm ||3 carrying the pawl H4. is oscillated through an angle equal to the angle between adjacent notches in the indexing disc H0, the indexingA disc will be rotated through. an angle equal to the angle between adjacent notches for-,each complete oscillation of the arm H3. The manner in which the indexing. arm ||3;. is.

oscillated will.- be described in the following paragraph..

As best shown-in Fig. 10vof the drawings, the indexing arm H3 is pivotally connected to one arm of a bell crank` H9 by a link |20, the bell crank being rotatable on a shaft. |2| carried by the frame I5. vThe bell crank H9 is oscillated by an.- eccentric |22' throughl a linkf |23V which. is, pvotallyconnectedto the other armthereof, the eccentric being; iixed.v on a shaft |24. As best shown inFig; l0, theeccentric |22 comprises a disc |25 which carries a pinV |25- journalling one. end; ofthe link.. |.23-. rIhe eccentric |22` also provides a camsurface |21 fora purposeto-be dscribedA hereinafter.. It will be apparent that as the-shaft |24 rotatestheeccentric |22'oscillates the bell crank H9. through. the link |23 so that the, bell crank,l in.y turn, oscillates the indexing' arm. H3.. through the, link` |20, thereby periodically. rotatingl the indexing disc |Y|0;to bring succesSive.v portions` of. the blower wheel Il into positions to be engaged by the weldingv tools I8 and. |19.

In` order to insure; accurate,- indexing of the blower wheel |11 withA respect to the operating station 2|, I prefer to provide means indicated generally by. the. numeral. |28 for` latching the indexing. disc` HG in` place,- after` each. advance-v by the pawl.I ||4 Asbest shown in Fig. 10vof the drawings, the latching means |28 includes a latching. arm |29;` which is pivotally connected,

toa portion ofthe. framey t5. at |30. and which` isA insertableinto the; notches in theY indexing disc, the latching-means, also includingy a spring |.3.| for inserting. the4 endof the latching arm in, the notches in the disc. The4 latching arm |29. carries a rotatable cam follower |32 which engages the cam surface, |21- on the eccentric |22,y the camY surfacebeing designed to effect withdrawal of.. the end of the latching arm from the notches in the indexing disc each time the indexing'A disc isrfadvancedi by the pawl H4.,

As best shown in. Fig. 14 of the drawings, theshaft |24. isjournalled in bearings |33 carried by the frame |.5 and has xed thereon a gear |34- whichis meshed. with a gear |35 xed on a shaft |36, the latter being journalled in bearingsy |31 carried by the. frame. |36 isa pulley. |38 which, asbest shown in Fig. 11 ofthe drawings, has a belt |39 trained therearound,A the belt. being trained around a drive pulley |40 which. may bel driven by any suitable means, such. as an electricmotor |4|. The shaft |36- carries a clutch |42 which, when engaged, provides a driving connection between the pulley |38 andi this shaft, and, when disengaged, permits free. rotation of the pulley |38, the clutch being disengageable to interrupt operation of the apparatus as. will. be discussed in more detail`- hereinafter. Any desired. type of clutch may be employed, the. particular clutch` |42 illustrated,

being disengageablef by. axial movement of a` dog 43.

As best. shown in Figs. 11, 12 and 13 of the,

drawings, the clutch dog- |43 is movable axially to disengage the clutch |42 by a clutch disengagingI member |44'. which.A is. pivotally. connected to a portionof. the frame), 5j, at |45. The clutch disen.-

gaging member |44 is provided with. an armv Ulti..

which is insertable between the clutch. dog |43. and the, body of. the. clutch |42l to movethe clutch dog, axially and thus dsengage, the clutch, the arm |461being, so inserted'between the clutch dog and the body of the, clutchA upon counterclock.-

. wise. rotation, as, viewed in Fig. 11 of thedrawings,`r

Journalled on the shaft.V

1"?1? of the disengaging member |44. The disengaging member |44 is biased for rotation in the counterclockwise direction, again as viewed in Fig. 1l of the drawings, by a spring |41.

The clutch disengaging member |44 is normally held in a retracted, or inoperative, position by a latching member |48 which is pivotally connected to a portion of the frame I5 at |49, the latching member having an arm |50 which is adapted to engage an arm |5| of the disengaging member |44 to hold the latter in its retracted position. Referring particularly to Figs. 11, 12 and 13 of the drawings, it will be apparent that if the latching member |48 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, the arm |50 thereof will disengage the arm |5| of the clutch disengaging member |44 so that the spring |41 rotates the latter to disengage the clutch |42 in the manner described. The latching member |48 is normally held in a position such that the arm |50 thereof engages the arm |5| of the clutch disengaging member |44 by a spring |52.

Referring particularly to Figs. 11 to 13 of the drawings, the shaft 36 carrying the indexing disc ||Il also carries tripping means, indicated generally by the numeral |55, for releasing the latching member |48 upon completion of the assembly of the blower wheel |1 so as to produce disengagement of the clutch |42 and thus produce deenergization of the indexing means 20. As best shown in Figs. 12 and 13 of the drawings, the releasing means |55 includes a tripping arm |56 which is carried by a collar |51 clamped or otherwise secured to the shaft 36. The arm |56 carries a tripping element |58 which is pivotally connected thereto at |59, the tripping element having an arm |60 which is adapted to engage an arm |6| of the latching member |48 to release the latter, and having an arm |62 which is connected to the tripping arm |56 by a spring |63.

Referring particularly to Fig. 12 of the drawings, as the blower wheel I1 is rotated into position for the welding tools |8 and I9 to make the last spot welds, the arm |60 of the tripping element |58 engages the arm |6| of the latching member |48. Frictional resistance prevents rotation of the latching member |48 at this stage so that the tripping element |58 rotates against the action of the spring |63, such rotation of the tripping element being limited by a stop |64 carried by the tripping arm |56. Y When the tripping element |58 engages the stop |64, further rotation of the shaft 36 carrying the trip-l ping arm |56 causes the tripping element |58 to rotate the latching member |48 into a position to release the clutch disengaging member |44, whereupon the latter operates to disengage the clutch |42 in the manner previously described.

As best shown in Fig. 13 of the drawings, as the tripping element |58 rotates the latching member |46, the arm |6| of the latching member moves downwardly to permit the arm of the tripping element to ride over and pass the arm |6| so that the tripping element disengages the latching member |48. Thus, the various elements of the tripping means |55 automatically occupy4 latching member |48 so that the clutch disen gaging member |44 disengages the clutch |42 upon completion of the welding cycle, the operator removes the assembled blower wheel |1 from l2 the retaining means I6 and places the elements of another blower wheel therein as previously described. In order to re-energize the indexing means 20 so that operation of the apparatus will be resumed, it is necessary for the operator tov rotate the clutch disengaging member |44 to its retracted, or inoperative, position so that it may be retained in such position by the latching member |48. For this purpose, I provide a handle |61 which is pivotally connected at one end to the clutch disengaging member |44, as indicated by the numeral |68. As will be apparent from Figs. 11 to 13 of the drawings, downward movement of the handle |61 will rotate the clutch disengaging member |44 into its retracted position, the latching member |48 being adapted to latch it in such position automatically under the action of the spring |52. Preferably, the handle |61 is provided with a suitable knob |69, or the like, at its upper end, as best shown in Fig. 1, so that it may be grasped readily by the operator. Thus, it will be apparent that in order to energize the indexing means 20, it is merely necessary to depress the handle |61 to permit the latching member |48 to latch the clutch disengaging member |44 in its retracted position.

As best shown in Figs. l and l1 to 13 of the drawings, I prefer to provide another handle, identified by the numeral |10, for cle-energizing the indexing means 26 during the welding cycle if desired. The handle |10 is pivotally connected at it lower end to the latching member |46, as indicated by the numeral |1|, in such a manner that downward movement of the handle |10 will rotate the latching member |48 to release the clutch disengaging member |44, whereupon the latter operates to disengage the clutch |42 in the manner previously described. Preferably, the handle |10 is provided with a suitable knob |12 or the like at its upper end.

The foregoing completes the description of the structure of the welding apparatus and the electrical circuit for controlling the operation thereof will now be described in detail. Referring particularly to Fig. 14 of the drawings, the electrodes 14 and 15 of each of the welding tools I8 and I9 are connected in series with the secondary winding of a transformer |15 which supplies the welding current, the primary winding of the transformer being connected to a source of alternating current through a timer |16. As is well known in the art, the timer controls the duration of the Welding Current supplied to the electrodes, and since any suitable timer may be employed, the details thereof are not shown. The timer |16 also controls the operation of the actuating means for extending and retracting the welding tools |8 and I9 through a solenoid |11 which operates a selector valve |18, the latter having inlet and 6o ,nected to the selector valve are auxiliary lines IBI and |82, the former being connected to the lines 99 and IOI leading to the respective actuating devices 9| and 92, and the latter being connected to the lines |00 and |62 leading to the respective actuating devices. The timer |16 is controlled by a switch |83 which is normally open and which is adapted to be closed by a cam |64 on the shaft |24 which drives the indexing means 26, the cam |84 being adapted to close the switch |83 to operate the timer as successive elements of the blower wheel I1 are rotated into theoperating station 2| by the indexing means.

Considering the over-all operation of the welding apparatus, it will be assumed that the operator has placed the elements of the blower wheel I1 to be assembled in the retaining means I6 in the manner previously described. In order to initiate operation of the machine, it is merely necessary for the operator to move the starting handle |51 downwardly, as viewed in the drawings, so as to rotate the clutch disengaging member |44 into its retracted position, the clutch disengaging member being latched in its retracted position automatically by the latching member |48 as previously discussed. This operation results in engagement of the clutch |42 to actuate the indexing means 2D through the previouslydescribed intervening mechanism. As a result, the indexing means periodically rotates the retaining means IG to move successive portions of the blower wheel I1 to the operating station 2|. As each portion of the blower wheel is moved to the operating station, the cam |84 on the shaft |24 closes the switch |83 to operate the timer |16, whereupon the timer energizes the solenoid |11 controlling the selector valve |18. The latter then provides duid communication between the inlet line |19 and the lines 99 and |.0I leading to the respective actuating devices 9| and 92 so that the latter rotate the welding tools I8 and I9 into their extended, or operative positions. The valve |18 of course simultaneously connects the lines and |02 to the outlet line |80. Subsequently, the timer |16 provides a flow of welding current to the electrodes 14 and 15 for a predetermined time interval to spot vweld the tabs 28 engaged by the electrodes to the corresponding rims 21 of the blower wheel. Thereafter, the cam |84 permits the switch |93 to open so that the solenoid I 11 is de-energized and thus restores the selector valve |18 to its original position, the selector valve then providing fluid communication between the inlet line |19 and the lines |00 and |02 leading to the actuating devices 9I and 92 so that the latter return the welding tools I8 and I9 to their retracted, or inoperative positions. Simultaneously, the selector valve I 18 connects the lines 99 and IGI to the outlet line |89. The retaining means I6 is then rotated again by the indexing means 2U to bring the next portion of the blower wheel I1 to the operating station 2| into a position to be welded by the tools I8 and I9.

The foregoing sequence of operations is repeated until the retaining means I6 has been rotated through one complete revolution by the indexing means 29 so that all of the tabs 28 at the ends of the vanes of the blower wheel have been welded to the corresponding annular rims 21. As previously indicated, as the indexing 'means 20 rotates the blower wheel into position to make the last weld, the tripping means |55 releases the latching member |48 so 'that the clutch disengaging member |44 disengages the clutch I 42 to stop the apparatus, the tripping means disengaging the latching member |48 yautomatically in preparation `for another operating cycle. The operator of the apparatus then removes the assembled blower wheel from the retaining means I 6 and places the components of another wheel therein, whereupon the preceding operating cycle is repeated.

An outstanding advantage of the apparatus hereinbefore disclosed is that articles such as the blower wheel I1 maybe assembled by spot weld- ,ing in an extremely short time. For example, I

have found that when the components of the blower wheel are preliminarily assembled before being placed in the retaining means I6 to minimize the time that the apparatus is idle, the 'wheels may be assembled at a rate exceeding one per minute.A The production rate depends, of course, on the number of spot welds to be made, the foregoing rate being for blower wheels requiring 84 spot welds, i. e., for blower wheels having 42 vanes each spot welded at both ends.

Another advantage of the apparatus is due to the fact that the simple rotational movement employed for the welding tools I 3 and I9 permits the use of straight electrodes 14 and 15 which may be cooled throughout substantially their entire lengths as hereinbei'ore discussed. I have found that as many as 20,000 spot welds may be made Iwith each tip member 84 before replacement thereof is necessary. On the other hand, when offset tips, which can be cooled throughout only a portion of their lengths, are employed, replacement after 500 spot welds is frequently necessary.

`Although I have disclosed an exemplary embodiment of the invention herein for purposes of illustration, it will be understood that various changes, modiiications and substitutions may be incorporated therein without necessarily departing from the spirit of the invention, and I hereby reserve the right to all such changes, modifications and substitutions as properly come within the scope oi the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

l. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of: a structure providing an operating station; intermittently-operating indexing means for moving successive portions of a work piece to said operating station; intermittently-operating latching means in mechanically operative relationship with said indexing means for positively retaining each portion of the work piece in 4said operating station; a weld.- ing tool pivotally connected to said structure adjacent said operating station for rotation between extended and retracted positions, tool including an electrode which is adapted to engage a portion of the work piece at said operating station when said tool is in its extended position, and which is spaced from the work piece when said tool is in its retracted position; and means for rotating said welding tool from its retracted position to its extended position and baci; to its retracted position after each portion of the '-.rorlc piece has been moved to said operating station by said indexing means.

2. In an apparatus oi the character described, the combination of: a structure providing an operating station; indexing means for rotating successive portions of a work piece to said operating station; intermittently-operating latching means in mechanically operative relationship with said indexing means for positively retaining each portion of the Iwork piece in said operating station; an electrode holder pivotally connected to said structure adjacent said operating station for rotation between extended and retracted positions; a welding electrode carried by said elec-- trode holder, said electrode being adapted to engage a portion of the work piece at said operating station when said electrode holder is in its `extended position, and being adapted to clear the work piece when said electrode holder is in its retracted position; actuating means for rotating said electrode holder between said extended and operation of said indexing mean-s and said actu-l ating means for energizing said actuating means after eachportion of the work piece has been rotated to said operating station by said indexing means.

3. In an apparatus ci the character described, the combination of: a structure providing an operating station; a conductor of electricity adapted to be contacted by a work piece; means for moving said conductor and the work piece` to said operating station; a `welding tool carried by said structure adjacent said operating station and movable relative thereto between extended and retracted positions, said tool comprising a pair of spaced welding electrodes whichv are adapted to engage the work piece at a pairY of spaced points when said tool is in its extended position, and which are adapted to clear the work piece when said tool is in its retracted position, said electrodes being connected in series to provide for a ow of current from one of said electrodes through the work piece,ithrough said conductor and through the 'work piece again to the other of said electrodes; and actuating means for moving said welding tool between said extended and retracted positions,

4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said welding tool is pivotally connected to said structure for rotation between said extended and retracted position-s.

5. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of; a structure providing an operating station; retaining means carried by said structure adjacent said operating station for holding a work piece; intermittently-operating indexing means for periodically rotating said retaining means so as to bring successive portions of the work piece to said operating station; means for energizing said indexing means; and means for cle-energizing said indexing means after one complete revolution of said retaining means, said energizing means including a clutch and said deenergizing means including means for disengaging said clutch, said de-energizing means further including tripping means carried .by and rotatable with said retaining means for operating said clutch disengaging means after one complete revolution of said retaining means, said tripping means moving out ci contact with said clutch disengaging means after operating same.

6. In an apparatus for assembling a fan which includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced, longitudinal vanes and a pair of end members adapted to be secured to opposite ends of the vanes, the combination of: a structure providing lan operating station; retaining means carried by said structure adjacent said operating station for holding the vanes and the end members of the fan in assembled relationship, said retaining means being rotatable to bring successive vanes and successive portions of the end members to said operating station, said retaining means including a pair or" unconnected heads respectively adapted to engage opposite ends of the fan; means connected solely to one of said heads for rotating said retaining means and the fan, rotation of said one head being communicated to the other of said heads solely by the fan; and means ff securing the vanes of the fan to the end members thereof at said operating station.

7. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of: a structure providing an operating station; retaining means carried by said structure and movable through said oper- 1d ating stationgfor moving successive portions of 'a work piece to said operating station; intermittently-operating indexing means for moving said retaining means to move successive portions of the work piece to said operating station; latch-l ing means for positively holding each portion of the work piece in said operating station; means for operating said latching means in timed-relation with said indexing means; a welding tool carried by said structure adjacent said operating station and movable between extended and retracted positions, said tool being adapted to engage the work piece at said operating station when it is in its extended position, and being spaced from the work piece when it is in its retracted position; and actuating means for moving said tool between said extended and retracted positions in timed relation with said indexing means. f

8. An apparatus as set forth in claim '7 wherein said indexing means comprises an eccentric and wherein said means for operating said latching means comprises a cam on said eccentric.

9. In an apparatus for electrically welding two metallic elements together, the combination of a frame; an electrical conductor carried by said frame and adapted to be contacted by one of said metallic elements; means carried by said frame for positioning said metallic elements relativeto said electrical conductor with said one metallic element in contact therewith; a welding tool carried by' said frame and movable relative thereto between extended and retracted positions, said tool including a pair of spaced welding electrodes which are adapted to engage the other of said metallic elements at a pair of spaced points when said tool is in its extended position and which are adapted to clear said metallic elements when said tool is in its retracted position, said electrodes being connected in series to provide for a iiow of welding current from one of said electrodes to the other through said other metallic element, said one metallic element, said electrical conductor, said one metallic element and said other metallic element in the order specified, thereby welding said metallic elements together at two spaced points; actuatingmeans for moving said welding tool between said extended and retracted positions; and means for moving said electrical conductor and said means for positioning said metallic elements relative thereto through an operating station adjacent said welding tool so as to move successive portions of said metallic elements to said operating station.

10. In an apparatus for welding together ele'- ments of a work piece, the combination of: a structure providing an operating station; a retainer for the work piece carried by said structure and movable relative thereto through said operating station so as to move successive portions of the work piece to said operating station; intermittently-operating indexing means operatively connected to said retainer for moving said retainer to move successive portions of the work piece to said operating station; intermittently'- operating latching means carried by said structure and engageable with an element connected to said retainer for positively holding each portion of the work piece in said operating station; means for operating said latching means in timed rela'- tion with saidindexing means; a welding tool carried by said structure adjacent said operating station and movable relative thereto between extended and retracted positions, said tool being adapted to engage the Work piece at said opere 17 ating station when it is in said extended position, and being spaced from the Work piece when it is in said retracted position; and actuating means for moving said tool between said extended and retracted positions in timed relation with said indexing means and said latching means.

JOHN H. ABBOTT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

8 UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Still Sept. 22, 1925 Phelps Mar. 18, 1930 Sullivan July 19, 1932 Martin May 26, 1936 Podany June 8, 1937 Cogan et al Aug. 18, 1942 Porter et al Nov. 3, 1942 Weightman July 6, 1943 Martin Feb. 8, 1944 Taylor et al Apr. 19, 1949 Certificate of Correction Patent N o. 2,498,905 February 28, 1950 JOHN H. ABBOTT It is hereby certied that errors appear in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Column 6, line 15, for pivot pins 58 read pivot pins 56'; line 42, for spokes 20 read spokes .29; column 7, line 5, for the Word preliminary read prelz'mz'narz'ly; column 12, hne 32, for it reed its; column 15, line 69, after means insert for;

and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Oce.

Signed and sealed this 30th day of May, A. D. 1950.

[SML] THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Uommz'sszoner of Patents.

Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,498,905 February 28, 1950 JOHN H. ,AEBOTT It is hereby certified that errors appear in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Column 6, line 15, for pivot pins 58" read pivot pins 56; line 42, for spokes 20 read spokes .29; column 7, line 5, for the Word preliminary read preliminarz'ly; column 12, line 32, for it read fits; column 15, line 69, after means insert for;

and that the said Letters Patent should be reed with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the cese in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 30th day of May, A. D. 1950.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Commissioner of Patents. 

